Can-filling machine.



No. 680,762. Patented Aug. 20, I901. F. E. CATUN.

CAN FILLING MACHINE.

(Application filed Apr. 4, 1901.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

No. 680,762. Patented Aug. 20, 190i. F. E. BATUIM.

CAN FILLING MACHINE.

(Application filed Apr. 4, 1901.)

2 Sheets-8hept 2.

(No Model.)

NlTlED Marne ArnNr trims.

FRED E. CATON, OF SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO CATONS FOUNDRY ANDMACHINE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

CAN=FILLING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 680,762, dated August20, 1901.

Serial No 54,292. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRED E. CATON, a citizen of the United States,residing at San Jose, county of Santa Clara, State of California, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Can-Filling Machines;and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the same.

My invention relates to the class of machines for filling cans and othervessels, and especially to those machines adapted to supply liquids,such as syrups, to cans or vessels previously supplied with thematerial, such as fruit, to which the liquid or syrup is added. Machinesof this class are usually called syruping-machines, and although myinvention is applicable to the filling or charging of cans or othervessels with any liquid it is especially intended as a syruping-machine.

The object of my invention may be stated generally to be the rapid andaccurate delivery of the charge of liquid without dripping. Thisinvolves the initial feed from the supply-pipe, including its accurateflow and cut-0d, the discharge from the machine in easily regulai'ableor controllable quantities, the positiveness of the discharge withoutspurting through the air-vents or siphoning through the delivery-pipes,the complete delivery of the charge, and the instantaneous cut-offwithout drip.

My invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement, andcombinations of parts, which I shall now fully describe by reference tothe drawings and shall hereinafter point out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a front elevation, partly broken, showingthe machine in operation. Fig. 2 is a top plan. Fig. 3 is an enlargeddetail cross-section on line a: w of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a section on liney y of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a modification of Fig. t.

In Fig. 1, A is a table, preferably suspended, as by hangers a, andhaving an underlying platform B, on which the cans C are supported.Bolted up tightly under the table is a plate D, having a chamber d, inthe center of which is a well 01. Upon the table is Y a valve-casing E,having within it a pistonvalve F. This valve is adapted to playvertically in the casing and through the table and to descend into thewell (2. The lower end of the valve has a washer j, which when the valveis raised seats itself against the under side of the table. The valve istubular, as shown in Fig. 3, and has side portsf, which when the valverises are closed by entering the casing, but which are exposed when thevalve is depressed into the well cl. The valve has a vertical movementimparted to it by means of a lever G, Figs. 1 and 2, which is connectedwith the valve-stem f extending upwardly through a stufiing-box c in thehead of the casing E. The lever G is fulcrurned on links g and hasconnected with its extremity a spring g, the tendency of which is tolift the lever to raise and close the valve F. The supply-pipe H for theliquid, Fig. 2, enters the valve-casing E, and it has a suitablecontrolling-cock h.

The operation of the parts thus far described is as follows: When cock his open, the liquid flows to casing E, but is there cut off by theraised valve F; but upon depressing the lever G the valve F is loweredand its lower end below its ports passes down into the well at for apurpose to be hereinafter described. As soon, however, as thevalve-ports f descend below the lower surface of the table, as shown inFig. 3,th e liquid flows through the valve and through its ports intothe chamber d and well d. When the valve rises again and seats itself,the liquid-supply is cut off. Passing down through the floor ofchamberd, Fig. 1, are the delivery-pipes I. The upper ends of theseextend into sockets ct, Figs. 1 and 4., of table A, said sockets beingof sufficiently-larger diameter than the pipes to permit a freecommunication between the chamber d and the open upper ends of saidpipes. The pipes extend upwardly in these sockets higher than the lowersurface of the table (which forms the roof of the chamber d) in practiceto about the general level of the top surface of the table, and theupper ends of said pipes are open. Fitted adjustablyin the table A (asby being screwed into bosses a of said table) are plugs J, which servethe double function of air-vents and delivery-pipe controllers. Theseplugs lie directly in vertical alinement with the delivery-pipes, andeach has an air-passage 3' through it, Fig. 4. When the plug is properlyseated, its base, by approaching the upper open end of thedelivery-pipe, leaves an annular space which forms the inlet to thepipe, as shown by the arrows in Fig. 4:. By adjusting the plug up ordown this annular inlet-space is increased or diminished, therebyregulating its capacity and controlling the liquid-supply as may bedesired. The plug may be turned up or down by means of a wrench-hold jon its top or other proper tool-seat. The base of the plug has a smallpointj which may be either cylindrical, as is shown in Fig. 4, ortapering, as shown in Fig. 5. In either case this point just enters thetop of the delivery-pipe, so that the lower end of the air-vent passagejis just below the top of the pipe. This prevents the liquid underpressure from spurting up through the air-vent and leaves said ventclear to supply the air necessary to effect the dropping of the liquidin the tube and prevent siphoning when the supply is cut ofi.

Continuing the description of the operation, it will be seen that as thepiston-valve F descends into well d in opening the liquid supply ittakes up some of the capacity of said well by displacement. The liquidnow flows through chamber d and passing up into sockets a flows throughthe annular inlet between the base of the vent-plugs J and the top ofthe delivery-pipes I and into said pipes, and thence down to the cans.When these latter are charged, the lever G is relieved and the springthrows it up, thereby lifting valve F. Instantly the portsf of the valveentering the casing are closed and the liquid is shut off. Then thelower portion of valve F emerging from the well restores the fullcapacity of said well, and liquid from chamber d, flowing into the well,reduces the level of the liquid in the chamber cl below the tops of thedelivery-pipes, and as the level thus sinks away from the pipe-tops theliquid in the pipes drops by the action of the air without siphoning andwithout drip. The valve F finally closes with its washer f against theunder side ofthe table, and the operation may then be repeated.

The bottom at of the well d is best made removable, as, for example, ashere shown, by being a screw-plug. This is for the purpose of permittingthe valve to be readily removed for cleansing. By taking 01% the bottomat and releasing the valve-rod from lever G the valve F may be drawndown and out through the well and replaced in like manner.

In order to prevent the liquid in passing from portsfof valve F fromcreating by the force of its tiow undue disturbance by eddies andcurrents in the immediate neighborhood of the nearer discharge-pipes,and thereby tending to render the discharge unequal or otherwiseinterfere with the proper operation, I provide the under surface of thetable with a protecting-flange a Figs. 1 and 3, which receives the firstflow from the ports and di-' rects it downwardly away from thedischargepipes.

I am aware that air-vents placed directly over delivery-pipes have hadtheir lower extremities depressed below the pipe-tops but, as far as Iknow, said vents have never been placed in vertically-adjustable piecesor plugs, which serve also to control and regulate the inlet to saidpipes.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as new, anddesire tosecure by Letters Patent, is I 1. In a can-fillingmachine, thecombination of a liquid-chamber having a communication with the sourceof liquid-supply, a valve for opening and closing said communication,de-' livery-pipes issuing from said chamber, a displacing-body, adaptedto enter and to with draw from said chamber, and a lever connected withboth valve and displacing-body, and adapted, by one operation, to openthe valve, and to enter the displacing-body into the chamber, and, by asecond operation, to close the valve and withdraw said displacing-bodyfrom the chamber.

2. In acan-filling machine, the combination of a liquid-chamber having acommunication with the source of liquid-supply, and a well in saidchamber, a valve for opening and closing said communication,delivery-pipes issuing from said chamber, a displacingbody, adapted toenter and to withdrawfrom the well in said chamber, and a leverconnected with both valve and displacing-body, and adapted, by oneoperation, to open the valve, and to enter the displacing-body into thechamber well, and, by a second operation to close the valve and Withdrawsaid displacing-body from said well.

3. In a can-filling machine, the combination of a liquid-chamber,suitable delivery-pipes issuing from said chamber, and a valve adaptedto control the communication of said chamber with the source ofliquid-supply, and by its opening movement to enter and remain in saidchamber as adisplacing-body during the flow of the liquid, and towithdraw therefrom by its closing movement in cutting off the supply,whereby the level of the liquid is reduced below that of thechamber-outlets.

at. In a can-filling machine, the combination of a liquid-chamber,suitable delivery-pipes issuing from said chamber, a well in the chamberin communication therewith, and a valve adapted to control thecommunication of said chamber with the source of liquidsupply, and byitsopening movement to enter and remain in the well, as a displacing-body,during the flow of the liquid, and to withdraw therefrom on its closingmovement in cutting 0% the supply, whereby sufficient liquid is allowedto flow into the well to reduce its level below that of thechamber-outlets.

5. In a can-filling machine, the combination of the table with itsunderlying chamber havin g a well,su'itable delivery-pipes issuing fromsaid chamber, the valve-casing having communication with theliquid-supply and the vertically-movable ported piston-valve seated inthe casing in the vertical plane of the chamber-well, and adapted whenmoved down, to open the communication for the liquid to the chamber, andto enter and remain in the well as a displacer while said communicationis open, and to withdraw from the well upon rising to its seat inclosing the liquid communication, whereby the level of the liquid in thechamber is reduced below that of its outlets.

6. In a can-fillin g machine, the combination of thetable with itsunderlying chamber having a well,suitable delivery-pipes issuing fromsaid chamber, the valve-casing having communication with theliquid-supply and the vertically=movable ported piston-valve seated inthe casing in the vertical plane of the chamber well, and adapted whenmoved down, to open the communication for the liquid to the chamber, andto enter and remain in the well as a displacer while said communicationis open, and to withdraw from the well upon rising to its seat inclosing the liquid communi cation, whereby the level of the liquid inthe chamber is reduced below that of its outlets, and a removable bottomfor the well, to permit the removal of the valve therethrongh whenrequired.

7. In a can-filling machine having a liquid chamber, a delivery-pipeissuing therefrom and an adjustable plug in line with the entrance tosaid pipe and adapted by the approach of its base thereto to regulatethe ca pacity of said entrance, said plug having an air-passage throughit.

8. In a can-filling machine having a liquidchamber, a delivery-pipeissuing therefrom and an adjustable plug in line with the entrance tosaid pipe and adapted by the approach of its base thereto to regulatethe capacity of said entrance, said plug having an air-passage throughit, and having also a point entering said entrance and carrying theinner end of said air-passage below the level of said entrance.

9. In a can-filling machine having a liquidchamber, a delivery-pipeissuing therefrom with its entrance end above the general top of thechamber whereby when the supply is out off the chamber is left full, andan ad justable plug in line with the entrance to said pipe and adaptedby the approach of its base thereto to regulate the capacity of saidentrance, said plug having an air passage through it.

10. In a can-filling machiuehaving a liquidchamber, a delivery-pipeissuing therefrom with its entrance end above the general top of thechamber whereby when the supply is cut OK the chamber is left full, andan adjustable plug in line with the entrance to said pipe and adapted bythe approach ofits base thereto to regulate the capacity of saidentrance, said plug having an air passage through it, and having also apoint entering said entrance and carrying the inner end of saidair-passage below the level of said entrance.

11. In a can-filling machine, the combination of the table having theunderlying chamber with a controllable communication with theliquid-supply, and a socket extending upwardly from the lower surface ofsaid table, a delivery-pipe rising from below through the floor of thechamber and freely entering the socket thereof, and an adjustable plugseated in the table in line with the entrance to said pipe and adaptedby the approach of its base thereto to regulate the capacity of saidentrance, said plug having an airpassage through it.

12. In a can-filling machine, the combination of the table having theunderlying chamber with a controllable communication with theliquid-supply, and a socket extending upwardly from the lower surface ofsaid table, a delivery-pipe rising from below through the floor of thechamber and freely entering the socket thereof, and an adjustable plugseated in the table in line with the entrance to said pipe and adaptedby the approach of its base thereto to regulate the capacity of saidentrance, said plug having an air-passage through it, and having also apoint entering said entrance and carrying the inner end of said airpassage below the level of said entrance.

13. Ina can-filling machine, the combination of a liquid-chamber, havinga controllable communication with the liquid-supply,a delivery-pipeissuing from said chamber from a point above its general top, anadjustable plug in line with the entrance to said pipe and adapted bythe approach of its base to said pipe to control the capacity of itsentrance, said plug having an air-passage through it and a pointentering the pipe to carry the end of said passage below the level ofthe pipe-entrance,and a displacing-body adapted to enter and remain inthe liquid-chamber during the flow of the liquid, and to withdrawtherefrom when the flow ceases, in order to reduce the level of theliquid in the chamber below that of the delivery-pipe entrance.

14:. In a can-filling machine, the combination of a liquid-chamberhaving a well in communication therewith, and a communication with theliquid-supply, a delivery-pipe issu ing from said chamber from a pointabove the general plane of its top, an adjustable plug .in line with theentrance to said pipe and adapted by the approach of its base to saidpipe to control the capacity of its entrance, said plug having anair-passage through it and a point entering the pipe to carry the end ofsaid passage below the level of the pipe-entrance, and a valve adaptedto'control the communication of the chamber with the liquid-supply andby its opening move ment to enter and remain in the chamberwell, as adisplacing-body, during the flow of the liquid and to withdraw therefromon its closing movement in'cutting oif the supply, air-vent plugs forcontrolling the entrance to whereby sufficient liquid is allowed to flowsaid pipes and the protecting-flange on the into the Well to reduce itslevel below that of under side of the table to guard the dischargethedelivery-pipe entrance. pipes from the direct flow of the liquid from I5 5 15. In a can-filling machine, the combinathe valve-ports.

tion of the table having the liquid-chamber In Witness whereof I havehereunto set my with its Well,the Vertically-movable displacerhand.

valve adapted to control the liquid-supply FRED E. OATON. and to enterand Withdraw from the well, said Witnesses:

10 valve having the side ports, the discharge- 1 WALTER F. VANE, pipesfrom the liquid-chamber, the adjustable D. B. RICHARDS.

